More arrests were made in connection to the Lourve heist, Trump suggested that he wants to start nuclear testing in the U.S. again, and he also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Here are our picks for the top stories of the week.
U.S.
SNAP runs out of money Nov. 1. Here’s what that means in your state (NPR)
Starting Nov. 1, nearly 42 million Americans are at risk of losing their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
The Trump administration has warned that EBT cards (Electronic Benefits Transfer cards that allow access to government benefits for food and cash) will not be refilled and that the program will run out of money on Nov. 1.
The ongoing government shutdown has left the Department of Agriculture without the funds needed to continue the program.
Trump administration limits refugee admissions to mostly white South Africans (AP)
The Trump Administration announced yesterday that they are limiting the number of refugees entering the U.S. to 7,500. Most of them will be white South Africans. The U.S. has previously allowed hundreds of thousands of people fleeing persecution and war.
No reason was given for the numbers. The ceiling under the Biden administration last year was 125,000.
International
What to know about Hurricane Melissa as death toll rises (AP)
Hurricane Melissa’s death toll climbed past 30 on Wednesday as the storm moved from Cuba toward the Bahamas after striking Jamaica as one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the region.
The storm, now Category 2 with 100 mph winds, left widespread flooding, power outages and damage across the Caribbean.
Hurricane Melissa first hit Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds on Tuesday.
Aid efforts are underway, and scientists are linking its rapid intensification to warming ocean temperatures.
Local
Nebraska, coach Matt Rhule agree to contract extension (KETV)
Nebraska football head coach, Matt Rhule, has agreed to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the Huskers through the 2032 season. His base salary will remain the same, but the new deal adds playoff incentives. Rhule currently earns $7.5 million per year, set to rise to $8.5 million next year and $10 million in 2027, with continued increases through the contract’s duration.
GEHS
The football team (No. 2) faces off against Lincoln Standing Bear (No. 15) tonight at 7 p.m. at home. The game theme is costumes for the student section.
The winner will play Omaha Skutt Catholic (No. 7) or Gering (No. 10) next Friday, Nov. 7.
Additionally, drop/add ends today. Students wishing to drop or add a class to their second-semester schedule should email their counselor by the end of the school day today.
Sports
Yesavage strikes out 12 as rookie pitches Blue Jays past Dodgers 6-1 for 3-2 lead in World Series (AP)
The Toronto Blue Jays lead the World Series 3-2 after a 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 on Wednesday. Rookie Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage set a World Series record with 12 strikeouts over seven innings, while Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning. The Blue Jays are now one win away from their first championship since 1993, with Game 6 tonight at 7 p.m. in Toronto.
The Dodgers won games 2 and 3, while the Blue Jays won games 1, 4 and 5.
Entertainment
Paramount to lay off 2,000 employees shortly after its merger with Skydance (AP)
After their $8 billion merger with fellow production company Skydance, Paramount is set to lay off over 2,000 employees. This makes up about 10% of their workforce.
Skydance acquired Paramount in August.
The company is now rumored to be eyeing an acquisition with Warner Bros. Discovery, the home of HBO, CNN and DC Studios.
Caught Our Attention
Israel’s military says ceasefire is back on as death toll from Gaza strikes reaches 104 (AP)
Israel reinstated a ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday after overnight airstrikes killed 104 Palestinians, including 66 women and children, marking the deadliest day since the truce began Oct. 10. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported 253 injuries, mostly women and children.
The strikes followed the killing of Israeli-American soldier Master Sgt. Yona Efraim Feldbaum, which Israel blamed on Hamas.
The Israeli military said it targeted Hamas commanders, tunnels, and weapons sites, killing 21 militants involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Hamas denied responsibility for the soldier’s death and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.
Trump defended Israel’s right to respond but said the ceasefire would continue.
More than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
Have a great weekend, Griffins. Thank you for staying informed.
Please note that our recap highlights a small collection of stories selected by the Wingspan staff for our Gretna East and Gretna community audience. Also, because this article is published on Friday mornings, major news events over the weekend may be covered in the following edition.
